2006 I was doing a number of photo shoots specifically for magazines. This was a wedding theme and both outfits were vintage outfits that fit other dolls. Wendy is a Alchemic Labo Unoa Sist, wearing a 1950’s wedding doll dress I found on Ebay. Shane is a DOD, and his suit was off a horseman doll, I believe.

Have you ever refused a commission? Why? Or if not, can you think of a circumstance where you might?
I have definitely done so, more than once. The most common reason is that I believe the person’s request requires the work of an airbrush. Sometimes the customer and I work with another artist, so that I do the mod work, and then I send it on to the artist who uses airbrush to complete the work for the customer.

I have also refused certain projects due to time constraints.Is there something that is still difficult for you to do? What is the most difficult?
Freckles. I have yet to really learn freckles.

How important is customer feedback to your creative process?
I love that moment when I get their feedback. I never want to send a customer something they aren’t 100% happy with, and I will redo the face as many times as necessary.

Is there a mold, doll, or company that you prefer to work on?
I’m pretty good with anything, really! I work on whatever anyone will pay me to work on, which extends to Blythe, Pullip…Hujoo…vinyl, resin, plastic, I enjoy variety.

Do you prefer working on male or female dolls? Why?
I don’t have a preference for my work for customers. I do more males for my own collection.

What is your background? Have you had any special schooling (art school, sculpture, painting, etc)?
I took one art class in college that did not include painting or sculpture, but it did do a good amount of observing real life details, which helps when trying to make a mold look like someone.

When you were a child did you ever work on dolls or create with similar things?Yes, I think I made a clay doll for my Gramma when I was 10, and I have some of my earliest attempts at customizing Barbies, which are terrible!

Do you have any other interests that might have helped you in your development of customizing ABJD (like customizing other dolls, action figures, etc)? Please tell us about them.I did model-building for years, where I worked with resin model kits and painting tiny lead miniatures. I am certain my work with putty, and painting fine details helped me some, but it still took me a frustratingly long time to figure out how to do it well.
Do you have any other interests? Collections?
I collect art and I am a music teacher for elementary school. I am an avid comic book reader, and reader in general.

What factors do you consider before giving a doll its make-up so it will have the expression you want?
The eyebrow ridge can present certain obstacles, so I like to make sure the expression I want won’t be interfered with. Most of the time I can force the expression anyway.

Are there any painting techniques that can make a face look more masculine or feminine?The larger the brows, the more masculine the doll looks. Longer eyelashes tend to suggest female. I usually use pink tones for blush on a female doll, and tan/peach for a male.
How long does it usually take to do a face-up (or custom alteration job)?
a Face-up can usually be finished in 2 days, once all the prep work is finished. I usually work on them in groups. If I just work on one head, start to finish, it could take as little as 40-60 minutes for a head that I intend for myself, since I don’t need to look at any references, or pause to read detailed notes.

Can you offer any helpful hints to the amateur face-up artists? Can you recommend a list of supplies including colors, paints & pastels etc?
READ AND WATCH TUTORIALS. Best advice. The reason it took me at least a year longer to learn how to do a face-up is because I didn’t watch tutorials first. The moment I did, I started succeeding right away. I recommend liquitex acrylics, faber pastels and Volks UV cut spray.

Do you have a favorite medium you like to work with when not creating for BJDs in your spare time?
I draw funny little cute cartoons with sharpie markers on 2.5x 3.5 cards.

How long have you been doing face-ups/customizing BJDs?
2007 is the official date that I took my first customer.

What is your biggest inspiration for your face-ups and customizations?
My biggest inspiration is probably the feedback that comes from the customer afterward, or in the case of my tribute dolls, from fellow fans of the character.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share for people that want to learn how to do what you do or just want to improve? Something that’s helped you a lot or something that you think is important to know when doing a successful customization/face-up?I think using the eyebrow template that I detail in my own tutorial is a huge help to new artists. One of the most frustrating things is getting the eyebrows even and well placed. To be able to do that with a foolproof method really helps many people along. I get comments now and then about how helpful that is, still.

Closing Comments (anything you’d like to tell us)?
I fully support doll collectors to give customizing a try. There’s not much to be afraid of, and once you know how to customize your own dolls, you are freed from the stress and wait times. But until everyone can or wants to do that, I’m here for your back-up to try to realize your vision for your character.

How did you get involved in Super Dollfies and customizing them?
While into anime cel collecting, I came across Volks Lucas in about 2001. By 2002 I had one of my own, and started trying to paint and make clothes for him and a couple others.

What do you do best?
I am probably best known for reproducing the look of real people.

What Inspires You?
Stories and details, either from a movie or book, or from the customers that tell me about their characters.

What do you want people to think when they look at your Customizations?
I want them to recognize my style and respect the work.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?
I hope to increase the amount of art and doll shows that I attend.

What sorts of things do you enjoy the most about your designs/customizations?
I really enjoy pulling off something that I thought was going to be tricky, either a challenge to make a mold look a particular way when it isn’t suited for it, or a pulling off a modification that I wasn’t sure of.

Other than yourself, who are your favorite doll customizers?
I really like CherryStreet Sera and I still have one of my dolls with her work. I am also extremely impressed with the Pipos stock face-ups for their cats. I love seeing my friend, Vivien, grow as she practices more. I also love Batchix’s sculpts.

What’s the Best thing about customizing your own dolls?
The moment the doll arrives, I can have him or her just how I want within 24 hours. The reason I started face-ups in the first place was due to the 3-4 month wait time to have custom work done. I have never forgotten that and strive to provide swift service to my customers.

What’s the most difficult thing about doing customizations (your mods, face-ups, tats, etc) and altering them?
The most difficult things are animals and pets.

What type of dolls do you enjoy customizing (male/female/brands)?
I really like Iplehouse as a personal preference, so when I get to paint other dolls, its great to be able to see, paint and play with, so to speak, hundreds of dolls I would otherwise never see.

What is your favorite style to create?
I have a particular style and though I imitate other styles from time to time, mine has bold eyebrows, long lashes, typically.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with a dealer to create OOAK full sets.

Why choose doll customizing as a form of Self Expression?
My grandmother did dolls as long as I can remember, so I always loved dolls and loved that they could be customized. Making my own became a way to make representations of characters that I created in role-playing.
How long does it take from start to finish on a typical doll to create and complete?
I consider the start point of a doll when I have gathered the supplies that I need, which is usually the doll, shoes, eyes and wig. From there, I can create a typical doll in 3-4 days of working. Some take much longer.

How do you like to work best with a custom order for a client? With total freedom to create your vision, or do you like some feedback/interchange with a client who might have an idea or theme they would like to see realized?
I work both ways pretty often. The most enjoyable is when I have the wig the customer wants to use, and a description of the character, and they don’t have any other specific requests. Then I know that I am going to match their wig, and inspiration from their description allows me freedom to create the face and surprise them with the result.

What have been your favorite projects you’ve done thus far?
I worked on some Once Upon a Time characters for PeaceLoveDreamer and really enjoyed that. My most favorite project not for a customer was creating the entire main cast of the Avengers, which is still ongoing.
What sets your doll customizations apart from all the others?
Swiftness of turnaround and boldness. I rarely shy from challenging customizations. I also do a lot of repairs for people who have damaged their dolls. I do this discretely, and though I do it very often, I don’t post pictures, so that the customer is never embarassed in a public forum for what they did.

Are there any sort of projects you’ve been hoping to work on but just haven’t gotten around to it?
I would really like to sculpt a full doll. Rightnow I have sculpted several parts, and a couple of heads, but not a full doll.

What was the most challenging thing you have ever done thus far?
The biggest challenge so far was creating 8 highly detailed dolls in 5 months, for the DragonCon Art show.

How has your style evolved over time, and where do you see it going in the future?My lines have become smaller and my pastel work more gentle. I see the future including my own line of dolls.

Describe your perfect client. Do you like to get a lot of direction, or just be given a general mood, or do you like to see visual examples?
If a customer has specific instructions, I like visual examples of what they like. Really my perfect client is one that doesn’t change their mind. 😉

Of all the face-ups/customizations you’ve done, do any stand out to you in particular? Howso?The arc reactor modification on my Iplehouse Lee to turn him into Tony Stark definitely stands out. I planned it out, ordered the lighting and wiring and battery, but to look at a pristine $700 doll…and then drill a fairly large hole straight through his chest…definitely stands out as a moment to me. Also creating the skeletal arm for my necromancer was challenging and fun. For just a face-up, I was proud of myself when I finally figured out how to do the face for my Pipos Derek.

Do you paint/alter other types of dolls, and if so, how does that compare with working on BJDs? If you do other types of art (drawing, painting, etc) does that influence your faceup style?
I also do Monster High customs and Ken doll customs. Both those hobbies help to fund my BJD hobby, and I notice an improvement right away in my skill level, particularly on smaller dolls, but also on larger ones, because Ken and Monster High require me to work much smaller.

Do you paint/alter other types of dolls, and if so, how does that compare with working on BJDs? If you do other types of art (drawing, painting, etc) does that influence your faceup style?
I think Monster High dolls are cool, but the last thing I need is another collection. I do paint and draw and it definitely influences my faceup style. Mostly because I always think about natural proportions and lines and the anatomy of the face.

Have you ever refused a commission? Why? Or if not, can you think of a circumstance where you might?
I have never refused a commission. I would probably refuse a commission I felt bordered on unethical, or simple was unethical. Let’s say someone wanted me to customize a child-like doll in a sexually explicit way, or someone wanted racist or overtly hateful tattoos on their dolls. The first one is a definite no, and the last one is a gray area. The hate could be a part of a character or a story for the owner, and the owner may not condone the message of the tattoos. What if the character is repentant and the tattoos are meant to teach a lesson? That might be stretching it, but you’d be surprised at the kinds of stories we hear behind people’s characters. I guess it would depend on context. If it made me feel uncomfortable at all, I wouldn’t do it, especially if I felt the client really was hateful.

Is there something that is still difficult for you to do? What is the most difficult?
It’s weird, because I have some days where even the most simple things can become difficult. It’s a kind of “artist-block.” One day I sat at the table for two hours trying to do one of my dolls’ eyelashes. I got frustrated and put him away. I came back the next day and did them in less than fifteen minutes.

How important is customer feedback to your creative process?
Customer feedback is very important to me. I want to know exactly what the customer thinks, so if I’m doing something wrong, I can improve. It also can help me get the ball rolling on a project. If a client wasn’t exactly sure how to describe what they wanted, I will start with something basic. Then, I’ll show a them a progress picture. The client might say something like “Oh wow, the lips look so boyish; it’s just what I want!” Then, I’ll have a much better of where to go with the faceup. Conversely, they might say something like “I like it so far, but I wish the lips were more dramatic.” It helps me in the same way.

Is there a mold, doll, or company that you prefer to work on?
I really enjoy working on Dollshe dolls.

Do you prefer working on male or female dolls? Why?
I prefer working on male dolls. I think it’s just a personal aesthetic preference. I prefer to draw males as well.

What is your background? Have you had any special schooling (art school, sculpture, painting, etc)?
In high school, I took drawing and painting every year. In college, I took ceramics two semesters. I’ve always drawn and painted. I like sculpting, but I was horrible at the wheel.

When you were a child did you ever work on dolls or create with similar things?
I remember my sister and I made sets of paper dolls together on occasion. I sometimes drew on my dolls or cut their hair, but for the most part, I realized I actually made my dolls worse by giving them “make-overs.”

Do you have any other interests that might have helped you in your development of customizing ABJD (like customizing other dolls, action figures, etc)? Please tell us about them.
I don’t think I ever really customized anything else. I sort of just dove in with ABJD.

Do you have any other interests? Collections?
I collect kimono and accessories. I am a writer and an avid reader. I play guitar, video games, and table top rpgs. I am very nerdy.

What factors do you consider before giving a doll its make-up so it will have the expression you want?
The most important factors to consider, in my opinion, are the doll’s features, what will look good on those features, and what the goal look is. For expressions, the location and fullness of the brows is very important. So, the dolls brow ridge and shape are extremely important.
Are there any painting techniques that can make a face look more masculine or feminine?
You can create certain effects by playing with the shape of features using contouring- using shadow and highlights to your advantage. Go to Youtube and watch a few drag makeup tutorials. I’m not even kidding.

How long does it usually take to do a face-up (or custom alteration job)?
Faceups can take hours. Customizations involving sculpting or sanding can take days. Major mods take even longer.
Can you offer any helpful hints to the amateur face-up artists? Can you recommend a list of supplies including colors, paints & pastels etc?
My best advice would be to just keep practicing. Take constructive criticism and ignore hateful people if you run into them. Supplies are easy to get. All you need is a sealant (Mr. Super Clear, Testors, etc.); a soft pastel of any brand will work but the better the pastel, the better the pigment; acrylic artist’s paints of any brand, and watercolor pencils are the basic tools you’ll need. Don’t forget a kneader eraser, a click eraser, an exacto knife, and a few brushes ranging in sizes and shapes (I like chisel brushes and rounds).

Do you have a favorite medium you like to work with when not creating for BJDs in your spare time?
I actually prefer to write more than I prefer to do any other type of art, but I do still sketch and paint sometimes.

How long have you been doing face-ups/customizing BJDs?
I’ve been doing them for about two years now. I only started taking commissions outside of my friends late last year.
What is your biggest inspiration for your face-ups and customizations?
For me, it’s always been characters of mine from the novels I’m writing. I like to bring them to life. I also love to look at avant-garde photography and runway couture for inspiration.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share for people that want to learn how to do what you do or just want to improve? Something that’s helped you a lot or something that you think is important to know when doing a successful customization/face-up?
The biggest thing that’s helped me has been just practicing. I just kept doing it and trying to get better. Don’t give up. I remember the first mod I did was on a head I got from another fantastic collector. It had been a practice head and the mouth and part of the cheeks were gone, the ears were drilled and sanded down unevenly, part of the nose was damaged. I was okay with it because I just wanted to practice modding. I did what I wanted, realized it wasn’t that great, then made it a silly joke, because hey, it was not so good. Why take it seriously? I thought it was fairly obvious this thing was meant to be silly, but someone took it and put it up on a site for others to make fun of (In fact, the person who posted the picture to the site screen-capped my Flickr photostream so that the description saying the mod was bad and it was just a joke was cut off). Did I let it get to me? Nope. If they didn’t get the joke, if they needed to misrepresent me so others could laugh, too bad for them. So what if a practice mod was not great? It was meant for practice, not to be something great. I just kept right on going and practicing, and now I think I’m doing okay. Don’t let negativity like that get to you. Take constructive criticism, by all means, but bullies don’t even deserve a response.

Closing Comments (anything you’d like to tell us)?
I remember being 12 and selling all of my barbies at a garage sale. A lady told me no one was ever too old for dolls. I guess she was right.

How did you get involved in Super Dollfies and customizing them?
I found out about BJDs accidentally. I came across a photo of one on Google and I had to research it. I bought one, after agonizing over it for months, and one day, I decided I needed to change his faceup. After that, I started doing faceups for my friends, and eventually, the other dolls I bought.

What do you do best?
I think I do a natural look best.

What Inspires You?
A face with unique features, a beautiful photograph, poems, and a powerful passage in a book are all things that have inspired me in my faceup work.

What do you want people to think when they look at your Customizations?
I want people to think about “who” the doll is, and more importantly, who the owner is. What makes them tick as a person, what makes them interesting?
What do you hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?
I’d love to have the head I’m currently sculpting be finished, cast, and selling and to kick off my own line of dolls. It might be a pipe dream, but for now, that’s what I’d like to do.

What sorts of things do you enjoy the most about your designs/customizations?
I love bringing a “character” out in the doll. I think my designs are unique and sometimes quirky, even if I’m just doing a natural faceup.
Other than yourself, who are your favorite doll customizers?
Other than myself? I’m not even close to being one of my favorites. Some of the people I admire are SDink, Nabarro, REEpaint, just to name a few. I don’t know if they all count as customizers per se, but hey, I like their work. A lot.

What’s the Best thing about customizing your own dolls?
I can take risks and get a little crazy if I want.

What’s the most difficult thing about doing customizations (your mods, face-ups, tats, etc) and altering them?
The most difficult thing has got to be the time it takes. You definitely have to be a patient person. It’s not easy when you have other time-consuming hobbies or work.

What type of dolls do you enjoy customizing (male/female/brands)?
I really enjoy working on male dolls the most. I don’t have any brand preferences, but I definitely prefer larger dolls with more realistic features. If there’s something unusual about the face you don’t often find on doll heads (aquiline nose, a goofy grin, really wide jaw) so much the better!

What is your favorite style to create?
I don’t know if I have a specific style that’s my favorite, but I love the more realistic looks. Not natural, exactly, but just something that looks like you might see it on a real face somewhere.
Who would you love to collaborate with?
Oh gosh. Realistically? I have no idea. I’m sort of new on the scene, so if anyone wanted to collaborate with me, I’d feel honored.

Why choose doll customizing as a form of Self Expression?
For me, it’s so much more fun. I think it’s because customizing dolls rolls so many of the things I like to do artistically into one. Painting, drawing, photography, and even sculpting. It’s all right there.

How long does it take from start to finish on a typical doll to create and complete?
That depends on what I’m doing. For a faceup, if you take out all the pauses between drying times and weather, probably about 12 hours. I’ve been sculpting this head of mine for several months now. I am only working on it occasionally, so that could be why.

How do you like to work best with a custom order for a client? With total freedom to create your vision, or do you like some feedback/interchange with a client who might have an idea or theme they would like to see realized?
I like to check with the client first before I do anything. Usually, even if the client just wants me to do my own thing, I ask them if they have a general idea they’d like for me to stick to. I ask for descriptors like “girly” or “dark” or “natural.” I like to experiment with things for my dolls, like lace and geometric designs and tattoos, and I know that won’t appeal to everyone. I love it when the client comes to me with a character to create and they tell me how the character needs to look, but also some of their motivation and history. It helps get some of their unique personality into the face.

What have been your favorite projects you’ve done thus far?
I’ve done some really neat tattoos for people. There was a cemetery tattoo that was pretty awesome.

What sets your doll customizations apart from all the others?
I think when it comes down to it, we all have our own styles. I feel I have a style that focuses a lot on the natural shapes of the face and things like light and shadow play. Also, being relatively new and not as highly in-demand as some other customizers, I can say my services are relatively “affordable” for someone who wants a nice faceup on a budget.

Are there any sort of projects you’ve been hoping to work on but just haven’t gotten around to it?
I really want to work on a doll of mine who will be covered in tattoos. I haven’t actually gotten him his permanent body, so I keep putting it off until I can afford it. I’ve been so inspired for so long to work on him. It’s killing me. I really need to get that body.

What was the most challenging thing you have ever done thus far?
So far, I think it’s been modding one of my guys’ bodies. I wanted the body to be relatively slender, plus the body had a pretty serious case of moobs. I think you know what I mean. So, I went out and bought a rotary tool and took it to the resin. I completely reshaped his chest, flattened his stomach, and slimmed down his legs. I had never worked with a Dremel before, but I knew I had to do it to get what I wanted, and you don’t learn to do something without practicing. He came out really nicely, so I’m relieved.

How has your style evolved over time, and where do you see it going in the future?
I think my style has become more refined through practice. I do a lot of different things, so I don’t know if I have a very identifiable style, but I do see my work as being very organic in most cases.

Describe your perfect client. Do you like to get a lot of direction, or just be given a general mood, or do you like to see visual examples?
My perfect client is someone who is willing to sit down and take the time to answer questions about what they want. Either they know what they want from me and they communicate it either by descriptions or pictures, or they know the general mood and style they want. If they’d like me to “do my own thing” and don’t want to give me any guidelines at all, they must understand they might get something they may not expect. Maybe they don’t know what they want, but they know what they do not want, and they tell me exactly what it is they don’t want. I just don’t want to be left in the dark and have a client then tell me what I’m planning isn’t what they were expecting. That’s why I always prefer to talk with clients a bit and send sketches before doing anything, because I want to make sure they love what I do for them.

Of all the face-ups/customizations you’ve done, do any stand out to you in particular? Howso?
I’m really liking this Soom Coquina I’m working on, but she hasn’t gone back to her owner yet, so I can’t say much. I just liked the realism behind the concept of the work. It’s an interesting faceup without being something off the wall. Not that anything’s wrong with off the wall. It’s just nice to see the mundane made special.

How has your style evolved over time, and where do you see it going in the future?
My style has definitely gotten better since I’ve first started. I’ve vastly improved on eyebrows and eyelashes. In the future I for see myself finally figuring out how to do nice lip lines. I still struggle with them.

Describe your perfect client. Do you like to get a lot of direction, or just be given a general mood, or do you like to see visual examples?
My perfect client would have to be someone that gives me direction but also some freedom to play with the face up. After all, they’re commissioning me because of my style. I like it when I’m told what mood and look they want for their doll so I can interpret it the best way possible for them.
Of all the face-ups/customizations you’ve done, do any stand out to you in particular? Howso?
One of my customization jobs that really stands out to me is the fully body work I did on my partner’s Fairyland LTF Dark Elf Soo with Daisy Dayes hooves. I blushed her horns, wings, tail, and hooves and did her face up. She took a long time to finish but she looks amazing. Sadly we misplaced her wings and tail. They should show up at some point again. She stands out to me because the gradation is so smooth on her that a lot of people mistake my work for airbrush, but it’s all pastels.

Do you paint/alter other types of dolls, and if so, how does that compare with working on BJDs? If you do other types of art (drawing, painting, etc) does that influence your faceup style?
I sometimes paint Monster High dolls, but I definitely prefer resin dolls. I don’t mind ABS Hujoos and vinyl dolls, but getting the face up off of a MH doll is such a pain. I’m an illustrator by trade and draw digitally a lot. I specialize in drawing characters or people. That really helped with drawing eyebrows, and face up-ing helped me get better at my illustrations.

Have you ever refused a commission? Why? Or if not, can you think of a circumstance where you might?
Kind of, someone once inquired whether I work on recasts, and I said no. It’s a loaded subject, but that’s the only commission I’d ever refuse because as an artist I find them unethical.

Is there something that is still difficult for you to do? What is the most difficult?
Lip lines, they are the bane of my existence. I’m still trying to find a good way of doing them. I used to do them with watercolor pencils, but I didn’t like the look of them so I switched to pastels that I apply with a wet brush. It’s a hassle, but I’m determined to get it right eventually!

How important is customer feedback to your creative process?
Feedback to me is very important, after all I’m being commissioned to bring their vision to life, and a happy customer is a good customer.
Is there a mold, doll, or company that you prefer to work on?
Not really, but I do greatly enjoy working on fairyland sculpts. I love working on lots of different types of dolls and in all sizes too. I’ve worked on everything from a Fairyland RealPuki to 70cm dolls. I’ve worked on over 60 different sculpts of dolls, including fantasy parts and bodies.

Do you prefer working on male or female dolls? Why?
I personally prefer female dolls because then I don’t have to be quite as careful with keeping the eyelashes short and the lips are easier since I can tint the lips more pink without worrying about making them too girly. That being said, I still enjoy working on male dolls because of the challenge they give me.

What is your background? Have you had any special schooling (art school, sculpture, painting, etc)?
I studied Illustration at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, but most of my skills are self-taught for face ups. Though it did help to break out of my usual color palette. I tend to gravitate towards dark blues and purples, but now I’m going into more saturated and bright colors. It’s fun and I enjoyed it.

When you were a child did you ever work on dolls or create with similar things?
Nope. I broke my Barbies as a child. I’d rip off their arms and legs and draw on them with markers. I didn’t get interested in dolls until I was introduced to BJDs and I’ve been hooked since. Having a 3D canvas is so different from working on paper or the computer.

Do you have any other interests that might have helped you in your development of customizing ABJD (like customizing other dolls, action figures, etc)? Please tell us about them.
I don’t really have anything else that compares to customizing BJDs in that way. As mentioned before, I love to draw and color. I sometimes sculpt as well, I’ve made 3 teapots in the shape of women wearing ball gowns before getting into BJDs, but none are painted.

Do you have any other interests? Collections?
Since I’m trying to turn my art into a career, collecting BJDs is pretty much my main hobby. I can sew plushies though, I should make some again. I can make them for people and dolls, though the doll ones have to be completely hand sewn.

What factors do you consider before giving a doll its make-up so it will have the expression you want?
Mood is a huge thing for me before I start working on a doll. Mainly because I start off with the eyebrows so if I do the wrong expression at that point, I can just start over again. I also keep in mind the skin tone of the doll and the colors that’ll work best with it.

Are there any painting techniques that can make a face look more masculine or feminine?
Yes, there are definitely techniques to making a face feminine or masculine. For feminine I use more pinks in the blushing and draw longer eyelashes along with thinner eyebrows. The lips are also more defined. With a masculine doll I’ll draw on thicker and bushier eyebrows and use more browns and oranges for blushing. I also go a lot lighter on the lips. The eyelashes are done a lot shorter too, and when I apply real eyelashes to a male doll, I trim them to keep them shorter.

How long does it usually take to do a face-up (or custom alteration job)?
For a natural face up I take about an hour, that is without any extra make up or the such. Now with a fantasy face up that requires heavy make up and facial tattoos it can take anywhere between 2 and 5 hours, sometimes even longer.

Can you offer any helpful hints to the amateur face-up artists? Can you recommend a list of supplies including colors, paints & pastels etc?
Keep practicing, and seek out constructive criticism. A fresh pair of eyes on your work will point out things easier that need improvement. It’s even a good idea to step away from your work for an hour, or a few, just to get a break and then have your own fresh eyes. Don’t skimp on sealant or your supplies in general, always go for high quality stuff. I like to use MSC UV Cut, even if I have a can of Purity Seal. I only use the Purity Seal on my own body blushes and I’m still testing it how I like it. It stinks a lot more than MSC. For pastels I use Schminke (which are my favorites), Daler Rowney, and Winsor & Newton. For a nice shimmer I love the Pearl Ex Interference line. It’s subtle but beautiful.

Do you have a favorite medium you like to work with when not creating for BJDs in your spare time?
Pencil and digital are my favorite mediums for fast art. When I want to take a long time with a peace, like a really long time, I will bring out my watercolors. One of my favorite paintings I ever did was a watercolor self-portrait in high school. I still have it today.

How long have you been doing face-ups/customizing BJDs?
I’ve been painting dolls since about July 2011, I started with my second doll. My first doll was painted by my friend who got me into the hobby. Then with my second doll she taught me how to paint them myself and the rest is history.

What is your biggest inspiration for your face-ups and customizations?
This is a tough question. I love going with the flow when I work on dolls, but looking at actual faces of people helps a ton. My favorite types of face ups are fantasy because I can go really nuts with that. I just love observing faces and how people present themselves. That kind of makes me sound like a creeper, doesn’t it?

Do you have any tips you’d like to share for people that want to learn how to do what you do or just want to improve? Something that’s helped you a lot or something that you think is important to know when doing a successful customization/face-up?
Yes I do! Don’t be afraid of the materials, play with them, and experiment. One thing I figured out by myself (even if I’m not the first to do so obviously) is that you can paint bold colors with pastels. Just get a small brush wet and coat it in pastel dust. That way you can apply it bold like acrylic while still being able to fix mistakes without having to redo the entire face up! And if you use watercolor pencils and you mess up, just dip a q-tip in water and dab away the lines. Be sure to seal your work several times through out the process, because that way you can build up the colors more saturated. I’ve painted a white skull over a dark tan head with just pastels, simply by painting with a wet brush and sealing between layers.

Closing Comments (anything you’d like to tell us)?
I just want to say that I’m grateful to all those that have commissioned me over the past two years. The feedback and practice has gotten me to the point I’m at now. And if you’re going to get into face ups, don’t ever be discouraged by your early work, see it as a stepping stone to getting better. Like Thomas Edison said, he did not fail, he simply found 99 ways not to make a lightbulb.